Man arrested on suspicion of starting Roach Fire

Crews with the Department of Forestry and Fire Management along with area cooperators are working to stop the forward progress of the Roach Fire, burning in the town of Dudleyville in Pinal County southeast of the Valley.
Wochit

James Brumley has been arrested in connection with starting the Roach Fire, which started in Pinal County July 7.(Photo: Pinal County Sheriff's Office)

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office arrested a man suspected of starting the Roach Fire, which destroyed 14 structures and brought close to $1 million in damage and financial losses in the Dudleyville area, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.

James Brumley was arrested July 14 on suspicion of reckless burning and five counts of criminal damage, according to the release.

The county investigators found the fire may have been human-caused, the Sheriff's Office said. It started July 7.

Witness statements helped lead investigators to Brumley, the release said.

They were led to Brumley's house, where they found a smoldering pile that apparently had spread because of wind, said Navideh Forghani, public information officer for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.